The Marubo, an ancestral people nestled along the majestic Itui River in Brazil, have recently been partially immersed in the whirlwind of modern civilization, thanks to access to the internet. Once isolated from the rest of the world, living simply in huts scattered along the river, the 2,000 members of this community now have one foot in the virtual sphere.
Initially, the introduction of technology seemed to be a way to stay in touch with loved ones and seek help in an emergency. However, the effects of this connection to the online world have been far more profound than anyone could have imagined. The Marubo, once dedicated to their daily tasks of cultivation, fishing and hunting, now find themselves caught up in the twists and turns of social networks.
A worrying trend has been observed within the tribe, with an increase in explicit and inappropriate sexual behavior. The phenomenon of “online porn” has infiltrated their lives, disrupting age-old social norms. The public display of affection was once taboo, but today seems to be displayed without restraint, thus fueling the concern of elders.
The youngest members of the tribe seem to be the most affected by this social transformation. Their enthusiasm for online discussions and the exchange of graphic content suggests a loss of traditional values in favor of an all-consuming virtuality. Family ties begin to weaken, while face-to-face communication becomes rarer, as the screen becomes the preferred gateway to the outside world.
TamaSay Marubo, a leading figure in the tribe and the first woman to hold a leadership position, openly expresses her concerns about this development. According to her, the abuse of screens distracts young people from their ancestral responsibilities in favor of growing social dysfunction. Negative whispers and gossip spread on online platforms threaten the very cohesion of the community.
Faced with these profound and sometimes disruptive changes, the Marubo find themselves at a crucial crossroads in their history. The balance between tradition and modernity seems to be weakening, suggesting major upheavals in the social and cultural structure of this ancestral people. The transition to the digital world is proving to be a formidable challenge, the consequences of which could be both enriching and destabilizing for generations to come.
In short, the introduction of the Internet into Marubo life raises important questions about the impact of new technologies on traditional societies. This meeting between two distinct worlds reveals the tensions between preservation of roots and openness to the future, thus posing an essential challenge to the survival and evolution of this extraordinary community.